Mark Hall Sr. was the first known New Orleans Police Department officer to die from Covid-19. Mark Hall Sr. was with the force for more than 30 years until he was diagnosed on April 3, according to an NOPD spokesperson.

New Orleans Police Department Facebook
New Orleans Police Department Facebook
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According to Nola.com, while Mark Hall Sr. was battling Covid-19, his son Mark Hall Jr. was in the Training Academy with Recruit Class #188 to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a police officer. May 1 was graduation day for Hall Jr. and his class, but he wasn’t able to attend the graduation with his classmates due to the loss of his father, Mark Hall Sr.

New Orleans Police Department Facebook
New Orleans Police Department Facebook
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After taking a few weeks off to grieve with his family, he took his final exam and earned his badge. Mark Hall Jr. was given a very special personal ceremony that included some of the New Orleans Police Department and Hall’s family. It was a very sweet and touching ceremony as he received his father’s badge from 30 years ago. When he was being sworn in to the New Orleans police force Wednesday, his family watched them pin Mark Hall Sr.’s badge on Mark Hall, Jr. I can’t imagine how bittersweet that was for the family and the department.

The NOPD posted the beautiful story on their Facebook page with pride. What a beautiful story. Mark Hall Jr. joined the rest of his recruit class in being sworn in to the New Orleans police force and he proudly wore his dad’s badge. What an honor. I’m sure the family beamed with pride. And I’m sure Mark Hall Sr. is smiling down on his son.

 

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